Did you know that there has been a growing interest in holistic pet care? Here at Ridgeview Animal Hospital, we offer the best of both worlds, utilizing both the newest modern technology and tried and true traditional methods. Read on as a local Olathe, KS vet offers some insight into Chinese herbal medicine for pets, a holistic pet care approach.
What Are The Benefits Of Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine, as the name suggests, is a system of medicine that relies on herbs. It has some very specific—and very impressive perks. Let’s go over a few of the key ones.
Low Risk Of Side Effects
The herbs that are used in Chinese herbal medicine are very safe. Most have a very low risk of side effects, though of course it is important to ensure that you are administering proper dosages. This is one thing that many people find very appealing, and with good reason. Modern medicines can be great, and may literally save your pet’s life. However, some drugs do have quite serious side effect risks, which include vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures, to name a few. For instance. NSAIDS have the potential to cause liver damage.
It’s Very Versatile
One great thing about Chinese herbal medicine is the fact that it can be used effectively to treat many different illnesses. That versatility makes it a wonderful option, and, for us, a great tool to have at our disposal. It also can be administered in pill or powder form, or sometimes mixed with food. Most of the herbs can also be mixed into biscuits, which of course is quite popular with our patients.
Cumulative
The effects of Chinese herbal medicine tend to be gentle and cumulative. You aren’t likely to see drastic overnight changes, but a gradual shift.
Improve Your Pet’s Overall Health
Chinese herbal medicine doesn’t always have to be used to treat a problem. It’s also sometimes a wonderful way to prevent problems. It also addresses imbalances and generally just boosts your body’s immune and organ functions. Ask your vet for more information.
Customized Care
Chinese herbal medicine can be used to treat a wide variety of issues. This allows us to customize each pet’s care options according to their specific needs. For instance, a pooch that has a high risk of developing hip dysplasia may benefit from Di Gu Pi San, which is a blend of 12 different herbs. One with eye problems may benefit more from Ming Mu Di Huang Wan or Babao Boyun Sun.
Whole Body Health
Chinese herbal medicine is intended to improve pets’ health throughout their whole body. While many herbs are used to treat specific issues, the system as a whole is part of the integrated system of traditional Chinese medicine. That system is composed of several ‘pillars’: acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, and Tui-Na, which is a massage technique that focuses on manipulating energy, or Qi, as it moves through the body.
Works With Modern Medicine
When deciding on treatment options for your pet, you don’t have to choose between typical modern medicine and Chinese herbal medicine. They often work very well together. That means we can offer our furry patients the best of both worlds! For example, a pet that needs surgery and may benefit from herbs that promote wound healing after their procedure.
What Are The Uses Of Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine can be used to treat many different medical conditions. It’s often used to treat chronic issues. It also helps promote good organ function, and can sometimes be a great option for things that can be tricky to treat, such as allergies.
Here is a list of some of the conditions that CHM can be used to treat:
- Digestive Disorders
- Kidney Disease
- Allergies
- Respiratory Problems
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Chronic Pain
- Inflammation
- Behavior Issues
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diarrhea
- Hormonal Problems
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Neurological Issues
Ask your vet for more information on Chinese herbal medicine.
What Is The History Of Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years. A man named Shénnóng (神農) is believed to have been the originator of CHM. Shennong, whose name translates into ‘divine farmer’ may or may not have been a real person: the tale has achieved legendary status. As the story goes, Shennong experimented with and tasted countless herbs, and then distilled what he learned into written form. His book is thought to be the oldest book on herbal medicine. The work, Shennong’s Materia Medica, categorizes 365 different plants, dividing them into three main groups, according to the risk of consumption. The superior group contains herbs that can effectively treat a variety of diseases. These also address imbalances in the body, and have very few, if any, side effects. The herbs in the second category should not be taken for extended times, while those in the third should be taken sparingly, and to address very specific issues.
What Are The Basic Principles Of Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Traditional Chinese medicine follows very different principles than Western medicine. The system is rooted in the belief that life is sustained by achieving balance between two types of energy: Yin and Yang, which represent internal and external, hot and cold, deficiency and excess, and light and dark, among other things. It is also concerned with the flow of energy, or Qi, through the body. The thinking is that if these forces are out of alignment, it will cause a blockage in the body’s energy channels, like the way a kink in a hose would impede the flow of water.
Chinese medicine also holds that everything is associated with one of five elements. These are fire, earth, metal, water and wood. As far as the herbs go, they are also divided into five categories, but according to taste: sweet, salty, bitter, pungent and sour.
While this classification may be quite different from the more pragmatic approach of Western medicine, it’s impossible to dispute the results. Studies have shown that Chinese herbal medicine can effectively treat many medical issues.
What Are The Risks Of Chinese Herbal Medicine For Pets?
As mentioned above, Chinese herbal medicine is very safe … as long as it is utilized properly. It is of the utmost importance that you go through a veterinarian that has been thoroughly trained in CHM. This will not only help ensure that the herbs you give your pet are of the highest quality. It’s also important to talk to your vet about any other medications and/or supplements that your animal companion is taking. Some medicines and supplements can counteract with herbs, so this is crucial.
Aside from that, we would also just suggest a few other common sense precautions. Be very careful to only offer the correct dosage. You would also want to watch for any signs of a bad reaction. While these herbs are very safe, that does not preclude the possibility of an allergic reaction.
Finally, keep in mind that all pets are different. Your animal friend’s care regimen will depend on their age, weight, and overall health, as well as the condition being treated. Your Olathe, KS vet will be able to make recommendations after thoroughly examining your pet.
Make An Appointment At Our Olathe, KS Veterinary Clinic
Are you interested in learning more about traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and how your pet could benefit from it? Are you looking for a great veterinary clinic in the area? Please do not hesitate to contact us. As your Olathe, KS pet hospital, we are here to help.
